Kathy Smith, LCSW, LICSW

Kathy Smith is a licensed social worker practiced in both Minnesota and North Dakota with 40 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life transitions. She holds the credentials LCSW and LICSW - LCSW meaning Licensed Clinical Social Worker and LICSW meaning Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - reflecting decades of clinical training and practice.

Kathy approaches care with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, meeting each person where they are and recognizing that people do the best they can with the skills they currently have. She believes that change is possible for everyone and that supportive guidance can help people build the skills they need to move forward.

Treatment is tailored to the individual, with conversation and plans shaped around a person’s unique circumstances and goals. Kathy affirms the courage it takes to begin therapy and aims to create a respectful, collaborative space where clients can work toward clearer coping strategies and a greater sense of direction.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kathy Smith draws from a set of practical, evidence-informed approaches to help people manage stress, grief, depression, and life changes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking steps that align with what matters most - this can be helpful for chronic stress, anxiety, and coping with loss. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a collaborative, empathetic relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and supports the client's own capacity for growth - it is particularly useful for building self-understanding and emotional resilience. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop concrete coping strategies to improve mood and day-to-day functioning.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Kathy Smith will collaborate with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, mobility limits, or chronic health concerns. These options make it easier to receive consistent support without extensive travel and allow therapy to fit more naturally into daily life.